Central Idea

The Saiga Antelope has been reclassified from ‘Critically Endangered’ to ‘Near Threatened’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

About Saiga Antelope

	Details
Scientific Name	Saiga tatarica
Physical Characteristics	Notable for its distinctive bulbous nose; relatively small, with a thin build and long, thin legs
Habitat	Primarily found in the steppe region of Central Asia and Eastern Europe
Population Distribution	Predominantly in Kazakhstan and Russia, with smaller populations in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Mongolia
Conservation Status	IUCN Red List: Near Threatened CITES: Appendix II
Major Threats	Poaching for horns (used in traditional medicine), habitat loss, and disease outbreaks like pasteurellosis
Diet	Herbivorous, feeding on a variety of grasses and plants
Breeding	Known for its rapid population growth under favorable conditions; breeds in large herds
Migration	Notable for long-distance seasonal migrations
Cultural Significance	Featured in the folklore and culture of the local steppe communities